Messages posted by : pavelski
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AllyG,
First, there are instructors and there are "certified" instructors. Most skiers are not aware of the "pin" ! In Europe in many ski resorts ski instructors are local persons who have other Summer jobs and are hired for the tourists. Always insist in getting a "certified" ski instructor and ask for "papers"! That is qualification and certification levels! Would you believe a good ski instructor first teaches,,how to fall, how to put on bindings in slopes (many skiers have no idea how to make a "platform"! The safety of the class is of prime importance to all instructors thus the level of terrain, speed and danger level must be "controlled" by instructor! Adolescence is exactly as you described. It is up to parents to "control" or guide such "boys" If in class,,then it is up to instructor! They have no "idea" of the lurking danger until it pounces! Then they call, "mother"! As far as "stopping distance" there are several "exercises" that are shown to instructors to help classes manage distance and speed. The very best one is using students as Slalom poles and have class watch as others go in and out of those poles! It teaches students to avoid poles (people), to direct skis and yes to stop! Typivally all students must be 3-4 meters away from each other! Have you considered "private" classes since yes it is more expensive but you get more for your euro!!! I suspect you were is a "package" tour trip!!!! Patience Ally,,soon you will graduate to freedom,,away from the school of skiers. Fresh air awaits you! Try to survive! |
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AllyG,
All skiers instructors, when they are trained are told to have ski class line up so last skier goes to BOTTOM of hill as you line up on side! Thus first skier is at top next skier goes below him/her and so on! This is not a choice. This is an "international acceptable ski school" class procedure! If an instructor is not requiring this behavior from class he/she is not following "procedures! Why is this important? You gave the answer. Stopping at top of class often results in the "domino effect" Hitting top skier who hits second skier and so on! A smart instructor "creates" a class pool! Any skier who does not follow "rules" must put money into pool (which is used for final class party) at end of week! |
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DaveMac and I would be great "brothers"! Still ski with my 205 cm. Merlin VI!
Classic ski! Pavel |
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Mike,
I have just lent for 1 month some skis I got from a ski shop! Interesting changes occurred to skiers which may help you! These are all skiers with +10 years experience. First It does not matter where you skied (down what chute),,it does matter HOW you did this! Modern skis require that you master two simple actions. 1. forward knee pressure at correct time and sequence 2. lateral knee pressure (inside turn) at correct time and sequence. Master those and you are better than 90 % of skiers on hill! One skier who was skiing on Fischer's Virons 6.6 applied these two "actions" and in two hours was "carving" the runs à la Trencher! great deep cuts into snow! Stay on "easy" runs until you master these "actions"! Then go to chutes. Some skis are easier turners than others. The Rossignold Z10 is also a great turning ski! Good luck! |
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To "solve" cold hands and feet issue, you must understand and "see" big picture!
Keep hands and feet warm is having "warm blood" going to these areas. That means keeping core body zone warm first. No expensive gloves, heat packs etc,,will keep these zones warm if core body is cold! There are a few strategies all skiers should apply. 1.Wear quality windproof ski wear (no jeans, etc,,,) 2.Think onions,,with layered approach 3.Close all vents, zippers, tears etc,,,, (I do not like jacket with zippered sleeves since cold air enters via zipper) 4.Place heat packs INSIDE jacket near chest. Not on gloves! It is better to have warm blood in shoulder, arm and hands. 5.Know some basic "moves" to circulate hot blood to hands! Watch racers before a ski race or while waiting to race. What do they do? 6. The major problem in reference to cold hands and feet is; inactivity. Move about ski! 7.Before going out,,,dress up and wait 15 minutes while body "heats up" inside! 8.Never drink to warm up! 9.Think keeping core body warm and blood will do rest! 10. As a final "solution",,take a sauna. Then dress up and go skiing! You will never have cold hands! Keep a warm heart,,,,and the rest willcome!!! |
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Skiing season has begun and already I am seeing ski "accidents"
Want to be safe? Want to survive this season here are some "hints" 1. Think of the other skiers. get out of your "bubble" and have a wider field of vision! 2, Know rules of skiing. Cardinal one is,,,skiers above must avoid all others below! That means you must ski in such manner that you can avoid all others below. 3.If in a group (the flock mentality) Try to ski apart at least 5 meters. Not as a school of fish!!! 4.This message is directed at boarders. DO NOT stop and sit in the middle of a run. Do not sit and chat across a run! 5.It is not cool to drink and ski. 6.The goal is skiing is to show control and elegance,,,not how fast you can go down a run! 7.The smart safe skier; -avoids flocks -avoids runs where beginners/intermediates/experts converge -stops near a tree, pole, barrier (it has psychogical effect on beginners) -keep facing up hill on ski lift lines (many skiers just keep on skiing through life lines) -skiers come in "waves",,,,try to avoid the crest! Wait for quiet period! Worst behavior I saw so far this season. Four boarders sitting across major ski run,,while on was talking on cell phone to,,,,,! Have fun. be safe! Respect others! |
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Tony is giving you wise advice.
The boots are more important that skis, than jacket or underwear! They are the "interface" between you and skis! Too large or big boots causes "play" within very much like driving a cat with poor steering linkage! Accidents will happen! Please do not accept comment, "you will break them in while on slope"! Read all about this on this site. There are many great comments! Happy skiing. Pavel |
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I have a Christmas story for you all.
It will warm your hearts. It will make you desire,,,,,,,,,, It will make you believe that there is a Santa,,really! But first,,for you to really appreciate this story you must do following; Go rent (or buy,,since it is worth it) the video "A Good Year" with Russel Crowe! Watch it and pay attention to that "Eccentric British Uncle" and what he does! Then,find out what a "garage wine" is! Then you will be ready for my "Boutique Ski" story. As always this Pavel story is real,,however "stange" it may sound! Merry Christmas to you all. Respectfully, Pavel |
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